Discipline referrals fall overall but suspensions rise late in year; handbook changed to tighten behavior contracts

Presenters told the board that total discipline write-ups dropped substantially this year compared with past years, but suspensions increased late in the year as the district tracked more incidents and end-of-year behaviors spiked.

"We had a sharp incline suspension," Presenter (S3) said, describing how earlier declines in write-ups were accompanied by a rise in suspensions in the final month. Presenter (S5) gave a daily referrals average of 11.7 and said 6th grade and 4th grade accounted for higher referral rates.

The board was also told the student handbook was revised: students with eight or more referrals in a semester or 15 or more in a year will be placed on a behavior contract, a threshold lowered from 20. Presenters said the change aims to make expectations clear and reduce classroom disruption while preserving interventions for students who need them.